Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley warned WNBA players as they appear to be full steam ahead for a labor dispute, while Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has come under scrutiny.
Fans and commentators were quick to react. Some applauded Barkley for offering seasoned insight. “Charles is right,” tweeted one sports analyst. “Leverage is powerful, but relationships and optics matter too. WNBA players are smart—just need to navigate carefully.” Others, however, criticized his stance, arguing that urging players to temper demands could be interpreted as undermining their fight for equality. One fan wrote, “The WNBA has been underpaid for years. They need to push hard, not be told to ‘check their pride.’”
Barkley, anticipating criticism, clarified that his advice comes from experience rather than condescension. He recounted his own career battles in the NBA, from salary disputes to team dynamics, emphasizing that strategic negotiation often yields better results than stubbornness. “I’ve been in tough negotiations,” he said. “I’ve learned the hard way that being too aggressive or letting pride guide decisions can hurt you more than it helps. That’s all I’m saying. Use your leverage wisely.”
The former NBA star also highlighted the broader impact of the CBA talks. A favorable agreement could set new standards for women’s professional sports, influencing leagues beyond basketball. “This isn’t just about one season or one contract,” Barkley noted. “It’s about setting a precedent. These women have a chance to change the landscape for future generations. That’s huge. But it takes smart negotiating, not just fiery speeches.”
WNBA players have reacted cautiously to Barkley’s remarks. While no formal response has been issued, several star athletes shared social media posts emphasizing the importance of solidarity and persistence in negotiations. Insider sources suggest that talks are ongoing, and that the league and players’ association remain committed to reaching a fair agreement before the upcoming season.
Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier amplified the pressure on Engelbert during her final media availability of the season with reporters. She called out what she described as the “lack of accountability from the league office” and alleged Engelbert made scathing comments about rising stars Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers.

Team Collier forward Napheesa Collier (24) looks on before the 2025 WNBA All Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
Collier’s leadership heading into what will be heated collective bargaining negotiations was lauded among her colleagues around the league. But Barkley suggested the players should be careful to not overplay their hand.
“They need to be very careful, they’re walking on thin ice right now,” he said on “The Rich Eisen Show.” “I know they’re doing some great things, but you can’t overplay your hand…as a league that had Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and a hundred great players, I think we went on strike three times. So, this notion, just because you got power and talent these billionaire owners are just gonna give you everything you want, that’s not gonna happen.
“You can overplay your hand. In the NBA, we were like, ‘No, we’re not gonna strike. They need us.’ You know what I was doing? Sitting my Black a– at home, unemployed … playing damn tiddlywinks.”

Charles Barkley looks on before the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers play in Game Four of the 2025 NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 13, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Barkley added that players have to be a little more cautious when going up against billionaires and the power that they wield.
“You’ve got leverage,” Barkley said during the segment, his voice carrying the authority of someone who’s spent decades navigating the professional basketball landscape. “The league wants you, they need you. But you can’t let your pride get in the way. You’re negotiating for your future and for generations to come. If you push too hard and alienate the league or the fans, it could backfire.”
Barkley, a former TNT analyst known for his colorful commentary, stressed that his advice isn’t about undervaluing the players’ work. On the contrary, he praised the WNBA athletes for their skill, dedication, and role in elevating women’s basketball. “These women are incredible athletes,” he said. “They’ve built this league from the ground up and they deserve recognition and compensation. But there’s a smart way to negotiate, and there’s a way to let emotions take over. Pride can be a dangerous thing in business—it’s the same in sports.”
The timing of Barkley’s comments is notable. The WNBA recently announced a temporary pause in negotiations to reassess key sticking points. Reports suggest disagreements remain over minimum salaries, revenue sharing percentages, and the length of the season. Barkley implied that while standing firm is important, maintaining constructive dialogue with league officials will ultimately secure the most sustainable gains. “You want a win, not a headline,” he remarked. “Negotiations are about strategy, not just about making noise.”
“No matter how many millions you got, you’re not a billionaire. So, you always have to be careful overplaying your hand. What you do is, you try to make the best deal possible in the moment and keep growing, but you have to be careful overplaying your hand.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed optimism that a deal between the players and the WNBA would get done, though he acknowledged the relationship between them and Engelbert would need to be repaired as well.

Paige Bueckers poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. (Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
CHARLES BARKLEY DROPS HARD TRUTH ON WNBA PLAYERS! “Don’t Let Pride Ruin the Future” — NBA Legend Warns Amid Tense CBA Negotiations “You’ve Got Leverage… But Don’t Blow It,” He Urges!
Charles Barkley, the outspoken NBA Hall of Famer, has once again made headlines—but this time, his target is the WNBA players embroiled in high-stakes collective bargaining negotiations. Speaking on a nationally televised sports program, Barkley delivered a blunt warning to the women athletes: “Don’t let pride ruin the future.” His comments come as the league and its players’ association face tense discussions over salary, revenue sharing, and working conditions, with fans and media closely watching every move.
The WNBA’s current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) has been under renegotiation since early this year. Key issues include expanded salaries, better travel accommodations, improved healthcare benefits, and scheduling adjustments. Players have made clear they are willing to hold out for terms that reflect their contribution to the league’s growing popularity, especially amid rising television ratings and sponsorship deals. But Barkley, never one to mince words, cautioned that impatience and ego could derail long-term gains.
Barkley’s comments have sparked a wider conversation about the role of veteran voices in guiding younger athletes during critical negotiations. Many believe that having someone like Barkley weigh in can provide perspective, even if it isn’t universally welcomed. “He’s not attacking them—he’s offering advice based on decades in the business,” said one former NBA executive. “Sometimes, hearing the blunt truth is exactly what you need to make a smart move.”
As the WNBA continues to navigate this pivotal moment, Barkley’s warning serves as both a cautionary tale and a piece of strategic advice: pride is important, but it should never overshadow pragmatism. Players’ union leaders reportedly view the feedback as one perspective among many, but acknowledge that managing negotiations wisely will be crucial for long-term growth.
For now, the spotlight remains firmly on the WNBA athletes as they prepare to negotiate terms that could define their careers—and the league’s future. Charles Barkley’s hard-hitting words underscore the delicate balance between standing your ground and ensuring sustainable victories. In his own words: “You’ve got leverage… but don’t blow it.”
The outcome of these negotiations will likely reverberate far beyond basketball courts, shaping the landscape of women’s professional sports for years to come. And Barkley’s advice, whether embraced or debated, is a reminder that even in high-stakes fights, wisdom and strategy often matter as much as passion.
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